Mortgages don't have to be confusing. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what buyers need to know about mortgage rates, bridge loans and finding the right lender. We'll discuss how rates are really impacting today's housing market and why buyers shouldn't wait to act. You'll also learn when to bring a lender into your home search, how to shop for the best mortgage and how rising rates and prices are affecting affordability and down payments. And in our Hot or Not spotlight, we take on two home design trends: floating stairs and slow decorating.

Guests include Dr. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of REALTORS®; Heather Haase, a REALTOR® from Ohio; Austin Niemiec, chief revenue officer at Rocket Mortgage; and Todd Carson, mortgage expert at Planet Home Lending.

Thinking about remodeling your home? Before you grab a hammer, find out which projects actually boost your home's value and which ones could drain your budget. In this week's episode, we explore where to splurge, where to save, and how to plan a remodel that works for your lifestyle and your bottom line. You'll also hear how to preserve historic character while adding modern updates, tips for finding a reliable contractor, and whether two-toned kitchen cabinets are in or out.

Guests include Joshua McGrath, broker-owner of Better Homes and Garden Real Estate; Adam Pretorius, luxury real estate agent; Stacie Staub, co-founder and CEO at West + Main; and Justin Johnson, owner of HouseMaster.

With the price of newly built homes being close to the price of buying an existing home, we tackle the question of whether now is a good time to buy a new construction home. What does it take to build a house from scratch? How do you budget? How do you get homebuilder incentives? How long will it take? What is the difference between a production builder and a custom builder?

We discuss with REALTOR® Jacob Smith from Burlington, Vermont, Joel Berner from realtor.com and Danushka Nanayakkara from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

We also find out if mirrored cabinets and dressers are hot or not.

Think you know the truth about the housing market? From bidding wars to whether you really need perfect credit to get a mortgage, we're taking a sledgehammer to the biggest myths in real estate. We'll reveal how the national headlines stack up against what's really happening in your local market and what to watch for when shopping for a loan, helping you cut through the noise to make smarter moves in today's market.

Featuring Stacie Staub, CEO and founder of West + Main Homes in Colorado; Todd Carson, director of sales performance for Planet Home Lending in California; and Ryan Melvin, Las Vegas real estate expert.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment: Is 'mindless maximalism' the next big thing in home design or a trend best left behind?

Thinking about buying a home? From listing that high more than they reveal to pool issues that could drain your wallet, we're helping buyers cut through the noise in today's complex housing market.

This week on Real Estate Today, hear smart strategies for buying in a market where timing, transparency and thorough inspections can make or break your deal. We'll explore how long a home should sit before you question the price, how to weigh the pros and cons of owning a pool, and the unexpected red flags that could signal trouble behind those flawless listing photos.

Featuring Scott Geller, a real estate pro and appraiser from Pennsylvania; Ryan Hvizda, owner of Hvizda Realty Group in New Hampshire; Ryan Melvin, Las Vegas real estate expert; Art Moreno, broker-owner of The Art of Realty; and Jordan Schaeffer, president of renovations and aftermarket at Anthony & Sylvan Pools.

Plus, in our Hot or Not segment: Are over-customized smart home features turning off buyers?

Selling your home in today's market, with housing inventory increasing but buyers seemingly standing back, takes strategy, precision and a competitive edge. This week, we're joined by Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist; Scott Geller, associate broker at REMAX in Jamison, PA; Ryan Melvin, Las Vegas real estate expert; Art Moreno, broker-owner of the Art of Realty; and Melissa Bailey, a REALTOR® from Arizona.

Our guests share expert strategies for helping sellers stand out, from pricing a home competitively to attracting buyers with high-quality listing photos. We'll explore the surprising mistakes that can sabotage a great shot, how a home warranty can ease buyer concerns, and what recent equity gains really mean for today's sellers. Plus, in our "Hot or Not" segment—could a 'fortress of solitude' be the next big home trend?

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), co-ownership vacation homes, and multigenerational living—creative solutions are helping homeowners tackle rising costs. This week, we're joined by Ryan Hvizda, owner at Hvizda Realty Group at Keller Williams Metro in New Hampshire; Matt Brannon, data journalist at Insurify; Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com; Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso; and Lynn Butterfield, associate broker at Coldwell Banker.

They share expert insight on how to afford homeownership in today's market, including ways to save on property taxes and why asking for a home's insurance history can protect your finances. Plus, house hacks that put money back in your pocket and a new "Hot or Not" home trend: renting out your backyard.

Home maintenance just got easier. This week, we're joined by Lynn Butterfield, associate broker at Coldwell Banker; Peter Piotrowski, chief claims officer at Hippo Insurance; and viral appliance repair expert Derrick Dennis, aka "DerrickwithtwoRs." They share practical tips on preventive maintenance, appliance care and what today's homeowners need to know to protect their investment. Plus, a new "Hot or Not" home trend: steam cleaning your hardwood floors.

Ready to build wealth through real estate? This week, we're diving into the fundamentals of investing. Debra Beagle, CEO and broker/owner of Ashton Real Estate Group in Nashville, Tennessee, shares how she started investing in college towns and what signals a strong investment opportunity. Melissa Bailey, team lead at the Jason Mitchell Group in Scottsdale, Arizona, offers tips on how to break into real estate investing and the types of properties that tend to deliver the best return on investment. Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, walks us through new data showing that investor selling hit a record high in 2024 and what it means for today's market. Derrick Barker, CEO and co-founder of Nectar, shares his journey from buying properties as a student at Harvard to building a $450 million real estate investment portfolio. Plus, host Melissa Dittmann Tracey asks: Is taking your shoes off at the front door hot or not?

This week, we're exploring how severe weather is reshaping the real estate market. First, Erica Wolfe, owner of The Wolfe Team in Jupiter, Florida, explains how higher insurance costs are impacting real estate transactions and why more buyers are turning to new construction for better insurance rates. Next, Travis Hodges, managing director at VIU by HUB, shares the types of weather events having the biggest impact on the market. After, Jon Schneyer, hurricane risk expert and director of research and content at Cotality, reveals the biggest surprises from this year's hurricane risk report. Then, Matt Brannon, data journalist at Insurify, breaks down the types of weather events that can damage your home and how homeowners can prepare. Finally, REALTOR® Cara Ameer shares how skyrocketing insurance premiums are derailing real estate deals and pushing some homes out of financial reach for buyers. Plus, host Melissa Dittmann Tracey weighs in on whether tinted windows for the home are hot or not.